Report: Univision To Pay $24M In FCC Consent Decree

February 26, 2007 at 5:34 AM (PT)

The NEW YORK TIMES reports that the FCC is readying a record $24 million fine against UNIVISION for children's television rule violations in a consent decree that will resolve complaints over programming at 24 stations over a 116-week period from 2004 through 2006 and will pave the way toward Commission approval of the company's sale.

The fine is being levied for labeling as "Educational/Informational" programming that the Commission determined were in reality adult-oriented telenovelas (soap operas). In the consent decree, which is pending full Commission approval, UNIVISION will pay the huge fine and agree to show programming that will comply with the "E-I" requirements for TV stations.

"I generally think consumers are better served by less regulation, not more," FCC Chairman KEVIN MARTIN told the paper. "But I also think the commission has a key role to play in some areas, such as children’s television, and I take those obligations seriously."